the uk parliament tackles football — a new bill is introduced after calls for an independent regulator. and gillian anderson plays emily maitlis. the famous bbc newsnight interview with prince andrew hits netflix. the us secretary of state antony blinken has said the entire population of gaza is suffering severe levels of acute food insecurity. in some of his strongest comments so far on the scale of the humanitarian crisis in the palestinian territory, mr blinken said it was israel's duty to prioritise providing for those in need. america's top diplomat is currenly in the philippines, and will be heading back to the middle east soon, to reenergise efforts to secure a ceasefire deal in gaza. our state department correspondent, tom bateman, is travelling with mr blinken — he sent this update from manila a short while ago. well, we now know that after this

visit to southeast asia, antony blinken will head to the middle east. he's going to go tojeddah to meet the saudi leadership and then on to cairo to meet the egyptian leadership. the point of all this is to try to whip up support, not just to get the ceasefire deal over the line, but the backing of arab leaders to secure what they are referring to as a post war plan for gaza. but this is an absolutely critical issue now, because what we're seeing in gaza with the catastrophic situation on the ground is what will happen if there is no proper security or governance. and i asked mr blinken this here in manila, was the current crisis a harbinger of gaza's future? because there are such crucial differences between arab leaders and the americans on one hand and the israelis on the other

about what a post—war situation in gaza should look like. and he replied with perhaps his strongest comments yet on the scale of the humanitarian crisis in gaza, so that he said that 100% of the population, according to the most respectable measure, he said, was now experiencing severe levels of acute food insecurity. he compared this to the dire food insecurity situation in sudan and in afghanistan and said that this was worse. and this was the first time that an entire population, 100% of the population, had been classified as such. now, he repeated his call for hamas to lay down arms to release hostages. he said ultimately they were responsible. but he called on israel with urgency, he said, to let more aid in and he said it was incumbent on the israelis to ensure that adequate humanitarian assistance gets into gaza. and we know that the americans have

been unsuccessful in applying pressure and getting leverage on the israeli israelis, crucially, to let aid in through land routes, particularly into the north of the gaza strip, through the crossings with israel. that largely has not happened. there is one new route that's open from the south, getting closer to the northern part of gaza. he described that as some progress, but he reiterated his call for israel, he said, with urgency to let more humanitarian aid in. live now to beirut — nour shawaf is oxfam programme coordinator in the region — and joins me now. hello to you. more strong words from antony blinken, there have been also some strong words from the un about how famine is now imminent. are you able to talk us through the situation your teams are facing on the ground? the situation your teams are facing on the ground?—

situation your teams are facing on the ground? the institution -- but the ground? the institution -- but the situation _ the ground? the institution -- but the situation is _ the ground? the institution -- but the situation is indeed _ the situation is indeed catastrophic. in the north of gaza in particular than it is very likely. in the entire strip, there is not a very high risk of famine, and this will be the fate of the strip, it will go through famine if no action is taken immediately. we will need to immediately upscale humanitarian operations, but in order to do that, we need a ceasefire to be in place, and we know that we have been warning for months now that starvation is going to happen in gaza, as israel is deliberately using starvation as a weapon of war, with all the imposing of blockage to humanitarian operations and not allowing enough aid in. , ., operations and not allowing enough aid in. _, , operations and not allowing enough aidin. , , aid in. israel course does deny it is starvation _ aid in. israel course does deny it is starvation as _ aid in. israel course does deny it is starvation as a _ aid in. israel course does deny it is starvation as a weapon - aid in. israel course does deny it is starvation as a weapon of- aid in. israel course does deny iti is starvation as a weapon of war. are you able to explain exactly how much aid is getting in at the moment for us in the land roots—mac that

tom was mentioning? and others another one that he mentioned where aid is getting in. how much roughly getting on at the moment? {lin getting on at the moment? on averaue, getting on at the moment? q�*i average, what we have been seeing is that less than 3% of what is needed is actually getting in. what we need is actually getting in. what we need is six times more of what was being delivered into gaza in the past five months. so if that does not happen, then we can operate, and this is on top of them not being able to get aid into gaza with rejected items not being explained to us as to why they are being rejected. we have a warehouse in egypt that is full of aid items that have been rejected by israel under the umbrella of forbidden items but we have not been told why they have been rejected. if there is more access to water, if we

cannot desalinated water, if we can provide water, then how are people going to survive? this is one of the blockers that have —— that we have been seen. and it looks like they are waiting for a famine to be declared in order to take action. we need immediate action. thank you so much for talking to us. we call straight to the house of commons. foreign office minister andrew mitchell is answering an urgent question. mitchell is answering an urgent cuestion. �* ., , , ., ., question. are ourselves or through un agencies _ question. are ourselves or through un agencies and _ question. are ourselves or through un agencies and british _ question. are ourselves or through un agencies and british or- question. are ourselves or through un agencies and british or other i un agencies and british or other charities. we and our partners are pushing to get aid in through all visible means by land, sea and air. we have troubled our aid funding to the opds this year, providing under £100 million with 70 million being delivered as humanitarian

assistance. 150 tonnes more of uk aid arrived in gaza on the 13th of march, including 840 family tents, 13,440 blankets, almost 3000 shelter kits and shutter fixing kits, 6000 sleeping mats and more than 3000 tickets tickets. a field hospital arrived in gaza from manchester last friday. this facility staffed by uk local medics will be able to treat over 100 patients a day. along with cyprus, the us, uae and others, britain will help deliver humanitarian aid by sea to a new temporary in us military period gaza for a maritime corridorfrom cyprus. we have been clear that air and sea deliveries cannot substitute for delivery of aid through land routes. at least through land routes —— my only through land routes in the volume of aid required be met. we

continue to press israel to open more land crossings for longer and with fewer screening requirements. there is no doubt that land crossings are the most effective means of getting aid into gaza, and israel must do more. there is also no doubt that the best way to bring an end to the suffering is to agree an end to the suffering is to agree an immediate humanitarian pause and progress towards a sustainable permanent ceasefire without a return to destruction, fighting and loss of life. getting to this outcome is the focus of all our diplomatic efforts right now, mr speaker, and a gull thatis right now, mr speaker, and a gull that is shared by our international partners. we urge all sides to seize the opportunity and continue negotiations to reach an agreement as soon as possible. == negotiations to reach an agreement as soon as possible.— as soon as possible. -- a goal that is shared- — as soon as possible. -- a goal that is shared. thank _ as soon as possible. -- a goal that is shared. thank you, _ as soon as possible. -- a goal that is shared. thank you, mr - as soon as possible. -- a goal that is shared. thank you, mr speaker. j is shared. thank you, mr speaker. yesterday, a un backed report revealed the shocking reality that famine in gaza is imminent. half the

population is expected to face catastrophic levels of hunger, the highest number of people ever recorded under this system. only twice in 20 years have famine conditions been reached, but what distinguishes the horror in gaza from what has come before is that this is not driven by drought or natural disaster, it is man—made. it is the consequences of war. it is the consequence of aid that is available not reaching those who need it. food is piled up in trucks just a few kilometres away while children in gaza are starving. it is unbearable. and it must not go on. international law is clear, israel has an obligation to ensure the provision of aid, the binding measures ordered by the icj require

this. the world has demanded it for months. yet still, aid flows are woefully inadequate. aid actually fell by half between february, between january and february. fell by half between february, betweenjanuary and february. this is outrageous. the continued restrictions on aid flows are completely unacceptable. it must stop now. just as hamas must release the hostages now. i do not doubt that the minister agrees with me, but will he have the courage to say that the icj's orders, including on aid, binding? and that israel must comply with them. i dab the fcdo's lawyers believe that israel is in compliance with its obligations? amid this exhilarating hunger

crisis, prime minister netanyahu reportedly approved plans for an offensive against rafah. this would risk catastrophic humanitarian consequences. it would be a disaster for civilians and a strategic mistake. how is the government working to prevent further attacks on rafah? the truth is this. if it isn't possible to address the crisis in gaza, it will not be possible to address the crisis in gaza if the fighting doesn't stop. that is also the best way to secure the release of hostages. so will the government finally nowjoin with us in dozens of countries and call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire? studio: the shadow foreign secretary david lammyjust speaking there and the comments. —— in the commons.

kensington palace has confirmed that images taken by a member of the public of the princess of wales on a shopping trip with prince william are genuine. the pictures were printed on the front page, catherine is seen smiling and walking alongside prince william. the paper says the video was taken at a farmers market in windsor. the princess hasn't been seen in public since attending a christmas day church service when she had abdominal surgery injanuary. we abdominal surgery in january. we speak abdominal surgery injanuary. we speak now to our correspondence of sophie long who is in the newsroom. sophie long who is in the newsroom. so much speculation there has been online, so much chatter about catherine and how she is and where she is. it can't be a bad thing for them to be seen out in public, i suppose. {iii them to be seen out in public, i su ose. u, , them to be seen out in public, i suuose. , , ., suppose. of course. there has been a hue suppose. of course. there has been a huge amount — suppose. of course. there has been a huge amount of— suppose. of course. there has been a huge amount of speculation _ suppose. of course. there has been a huge amount of speculation about - suppose. of course. there has been a huge amount of speculation about her well—being, huge amount of speculation on social media, particularly after that photo that the royal couple issued themselves, the royal couple issued themselves, the princess of wales admitted to digitally edited herself. ——

editing. but this made the front page of the sun. it has now been confirmed it is genuine by kensington palace. it was taken by a member of the public who happened to be in the vicinity and saw what they described as a familiar face, they took a video of the royal couple. kensington palace took a little while to confirm it was genuine, their reluctance to do so perhaps to do with the royal couple continually asking for privacy while the princess of wales recovers from the abdominal surgery that she underwent injanuary. the royalfamily was injanuary. the royal family was last seen together at sandringham at christmas. we're not expecting her to return to full bowling duties until after christmas. but i think a lot of people will be very pleased to see the princess looking relaxed. —— expecting her to return to full public duties. now it has been confirmed by kensington palace, perhaps it might go some way to putting the speculation about her well—being address. putting the speculation about her well-being address.— putting the speculation about her well-being address. prince william is out and about _

well-being address. prince william is out and about today, _ well-being address. prince william is out and about today, he - well-being address. prince william is out and about today, he is - well-being address. prince william is out and about today, he is in - is out and about today, he is in sheffield visiting a homelessness scheme. you can see the images there of him that are just coming scheme. you can see the images there of him that arejust coming in now from sheffield. i suppose he will be hoping that people are focusing on his work today rather than anything else. , , , ., ., , else. yes, this is one of his flagship — else. yes, this is one of his flagship projects. _ else. yes, this is one of his flagship projects. i - else. yes, this is one of his flagship projects. i think. else. yes, this is one of his| flagship projects. i think the else. yes, this is one of his - flagship projects. i think the royal couple will be very helpful that the focus can go back to the projects and the causes that they are trained to promote, rather than this continual speculation and conspiracy theories that have been swirling around online about the princess of�*s well—being. so prince william, as you can see, out in sheffield today, he is speaking to members of the public and trying to raise awareness of a very important project in sheffield. and hopefully just for a little while at least, may be the speculation will calm down. ., ~ may be the speculation will calm down. . ~ ,, may be the speculation will calm down. ., ~' ,, , may be the speculation will calm down. . ~ ,, , . may be the speculation will calm down. . ~ , . down. thank you very much, sophie. as we were — down. thank you very much, sophie. as we were saying, _ down. thank you very much, sophie. as we were saying, the _ down. thank you very much, sophie. as we were saying, the princess - down. thank you very much, sophie. as we were saying, the princess of. as we were saying, the princess of wales is not expected to be back to

public duties until after easter. legislation to impose the first independent regulator on men's football in england is being introduced in parliament today. it follows a number of controversies at the top level of the sport — including the failure by premier league clubs to agree an improved financial package for the rest of the game. our reporter rachel mcadam has more. the football governance bill will be introduced to parliament today after a fan led review into the man's game. now, the review came after a number of high profile crises in the sport, like the failed european super league and a number of cases of financial mismanagement. but what will the bill actually do? well, the government says that an independent regulator will be established and that will give fans a bigger voice and a bigger say as to how their clubs are run. and that regulator will also promote financial sustainability, and it will have the power to find clubs up to 10% of their turnover and it will have the power to fine clubs up to 10% of their turnover if they're not compliant. breakaway close shop competitions

like the european super league breakaway closed shop competitions like the european super league could be blocked under the new legislation, and there'll be stronger tests for new owners and directors of clubs to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands. the prime minister has described it as a historic moment for fans and he said that he'll put their voices front and centre. but the premier league has previously argued against a regulator, saying that it wasn't necessary. and today the premier league says they remain concerned about any unintended consequences of the legislation that could affect the competitiveness and appeal of english football. we will be speaking to a football finance expert shortly. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

let's talk a little bit more about that story about the government setting up an independent regulator

for the top five tiers of english football. let's speak to kieran maguire, a football finance expert at the university of liverpool and author of the price of football. hello to you. rishi sunak says that this is a historic moment for fans, do you agree? i this is a historic moment for fans, do you agree?— do you agree? i think so, in the sense that _ do you agree? i think so, in the sense that it _ do you agree? i think so, in the sense that it is _ do you agree? i think so, in the sense that it is the _ do you agree? i think so, in the sense that it is the first - do you agree? i think so, in the sense that it is the first time i do you agree? i think so, in the i sense that it is the first time that football fans effectively will have a greater say, or a say at all in terms of the administration governance and running of the game. and that they will field that will be backed by a government agency, or ideally an independent agency, so there are positive steps. one has to look at the small print of the legislation with due care and attention. we also must make sure that we don't destroy the great things which have made the premier league and the efl such successes in recent years. in league and the efl such successes in recent years-—

recent years. in terms of the implementation _ recent years. in terms of the implementation or _ recent years. in terms of the implementation or how - recent years. in terms of the implementation or how it - recent years. in terms of the implementation or how it is. recent years. in terms of the - implementation or how it is going to be enforced, are you concerned about that? i be enforced, are you concerned about that? 4' ., ., that? i think if we have a light-touch _ that? i think if we have a light-touch approach, i that? i think if we have a i light-touch approach, that that? i think if we have a - light-touch approach, that is good light—touch approach, that is good from a cost control point of view and secondly, it will allow clubs on parole —— operational level to have a greater degree of certainty as to how they will continue going forward in terms of how they market themselves, in terms of their ability to be competitive in the transfer market and retain the talent which has been generated through the premier league and other clubs in english and welsh and scottish football in recent years. so if it is done appropriately and it is not seen as being draconian, there is no reason why it cannot be a benefit to the game.— a benefit to the game. some campaigners _ a benefit to the game. some campaigners say _ a benefit to the game. some campaigners say doesn't - a benefit to the game. some campaigners say doesn't go l a benefit to the game. some l campaigners say doesn't go far enough. what about the premier league said in the statement? it said their main concern about unintended consequences that can weaken the competitiveness and the appeal of english football. do they mean by that? it’s appeal of english football. do they mean by that?— appeal of english football. do they

mean by that? it's a rather strange sa inc, mean by that? it's a rather strange saying. they _ mean by that? it's a rather strange saying. they are — mean by that? it's a rather strange saying, they are saying _ mean by that? it's a rather strange saying, they are saying they - mean by that? it's a rather strange saying, they are saying they are i saying, they are saying they are opposed to it but they're not quite sure why. i would imagine that organisation given the choice between being regulated or not being regulated would choose the latter. in the premier league is perhaps concern that if the regulator takes on some of the responsibility, such as determining who is and who is not appropriate to be in charge of a football club, that would mean that the premier league's power to control that particular function disappears and therefore, does that reduce the need for the premier league as we see it at present? it has a very high wage bill, the average salaries are very high so you can see there is an element of self interest.— self interest. and couldn't prevent an future self interest. and couldn't prevent any future attempts _ self interest. and couldn't prevent any future attempts at _ self interest. and couldn't prevent any future attempts at a _ self interest. and couldn't prevent any future attempts at a sort i self interest. and couldn't prevent any future attempts at a sort of. any future attempts at a sort of breakaway european super league? well, if that is brought into legislation via the regulator, i think there would be greater powers. we saw that when the first super league project took place, there

were six clubs from the premier league whojumped on board. it was not the premier league itself that prevented the super league from being created, it was the very hostile reaction from another stakeholder, which was the fan group, the premier league says, we would rather you didn't do it but had absolutely no powers to prevent it. so the independent regulator, through the licensing system, could say that if you choose to join a super league, you would lose your licence to be a football club and operate within the domestic framework, therefore clubs would have to make a choice as to what are the other. ., ~ have to make a choice as to what are the other. ., ,, , ., , . the other. thank you very much. penny mordaunt _ the other. thank you very much. penny mordaunt has _ the other. thank you very much. penny mordaunt has spoken i the other. thank you very much. i penny mordaunt has spoken publicly since newspaper reports at the weekend suggested her supporters had beenin weekend suggested her supporters had been in talks over a plan for her to replace the prime minister.

yesterday sources close to the leader of the house of commons said commenting on rumours of a leadership plot publicly would give them more credence than they deserve and wouldn't help. leaving cabinet this morning she briefly spoke to reporters who had gathered in westmisnter — lets take a listen. i'm getting on with myjob and i recommend it. do i'm getting on with my “0b and i recommend ki i'm getting on with my “0b and i recommend it. ~ recommend it. do you think you will survive the — recommend it. do you think you will survive the next _ recommend it. do you think you will survive the next election? _ recommend it. do you think you will survive the next election? -- - recommend it. do you think you will survive the next election? -- he i survive the next election? -- he will. just getting on with the job and she recommends it, that's all she had to say. it was the interview that caused prince andrew to withdraw from all public duties. now, his 2019 bbc newsnight head—to—head with emily maitlis has been turned into a film. scoop tells the behind—the—scenes story, with billie piper as the producer sam mcalister, who landed the interview, and gillian anderson playing emily maitlis. they've both been speaking to our entertainment correspondent colin patterson. tomorrow night, in an unprecedented interview, we will hear from the duke himself.

it's newsnight, the movie, or rather, a netflix dramatisation of how producer sam mcalister, played by billie piper, secured emily maitlis's 2019 interview with prince andrew... the allegations surrounding jeffrey epstein include his friend prince andrew. ..with gillian anderson as emily maitlis. of how producer sam mcalister, played by billie piper, like a walk in the park. why do you need to make a dramatic version of it when the original is still there for everyone to see? well, because this, as much as anything, is about the story behind the acquisition of the interview. why not dramatise up until one of the most important and dramatic interviews in history, really? i think it is, in history, yeah. myjob is booking the people we can'tjust call up. hello, everyone. billie, it's important to say this is very much from the point of view of sam mccalister, who you play? she's so high energy and unlike anyone i've ever met, actually, and i don't say that lightly. i've never been smuggled

into a palace before. at first, gillian anderson actually turned down the role of emily maitlis. i can't tell you what the questions will be because i don't know myself yet. but when i do know, i still won't tell you. i mean, it's just too scary to play emily maitlis. why? well, because she's still living, because she's so formidable, because people know her so well and they said, "well, then, you have to do it." do you remember dancing at tramp? no. and to make things more complicated, emily maitlis herself is executive producer on an upcoming rival three part amazon drama about the interview, which made it slightly awkward when gillian anderson bumped into her. i had come to this charity event not having prepared at all and was really dishevelled. and she showed up as emily maitlis, who looks like a movie star and was tanned and short white skirt and tanned legs and everything.

and i literally looked like her great aunt in the pictures! no, i thought that went very well. prince andrew famously thought that the interview had been a triumph. gillian anderson and billie piper both agree that there is almost no chance he will watch this version. this interview, does it matter? colin paterson, bbc news. yeah, it matters. stay with us here on bbc news. hello again. for most, the weather is cheering up nicely in the afternoon promises decent spells of sunshine. so far, some of the best breaks in the could have wales with these sunny skies spotted earlier in north—west wales but is not the only place seeing sunshine today for the northern england also seeing an increase in the sunny skies. it is across east anglia and south—east england where we will probably keep a lot of cloud. it is a mild take on the

sunny skies. it is across east anglia and south—east england where we will probably keep a lot of cloud. it is a mild day, some isolated showers government aid stays dry. but that's not the case of an eye because low pressure centre within and we will see some fairly persistent outbreaks pushing on. particularly northern ireland, wales and northern england. a am night with temperatures 9 or 10 for england and wales. tomorrow, the wettest weather starting off in northern ireland will sweep east so wales and northern england probably having rain for most of the day. starting a try across south—east england but there may be some rain arriving in the afternoon. mild across the south—east, brightening up across the south—east, brightening up for scotland and northern ireland but here it will be a cooler kind of day with temperatures around 8 to 11 celsius. cool weather will not last long, heading into thursday, we get some milder air pushing end of the atlantic behind this warm front so temperatures will be climbing. however, it is going to work out as quite a wet and windy day

particularly in scotland where has northern areas we will get costs running into the 50s, rain likely to be quite persistent for western scotland for much of the day, sinking southwards to give some wet weather into northern ireland in the afternoon. relatively mild, 14 in belfast, highs of 16 towards the south—east of england. all change on friday, called front sweeping its way southwards, introducing much cooler air. with that, a band of rain pushing southwards across england and wales. the skies brighten up with sunshine, lots of showers across the north—west of the uk, some those likely to be heavy with some hail and thunder mixed in and temperatures coming down. highs typically between 9 and 12 so close to average for the time of year. it stays showery into the weekend with some quite chilly winds and it will be cold enough for a bit of snow over the tops of the scottish mountains.

today at one — the princess of wales is seen in public for the first time in weeks after abdominal surgery. video released by the sun newspaper show her with prince william after a shopping trip in windsor. plans to make our energy system greener will cost almost £60 billion in upgrades. pollution in the river wye. people affected launch a claim for compensation. i've never been smuggled into a palace before.

and we speak to the stars of the film scoop — the story of bbc newsnight journalists and their sensational interview with prince andrew. and coming up on bbc news, a football governance bill aimed at protecting clubs like bury fc from going under will be put to parliament today. it's expected to pave the way for an independent regulator. good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at one. kensington palace has confirmed moving images taken by a member of the public and published by the sun of catherine, the princess of wales, on a shopping trip with prince william in windsor. the princess has been out of public sight since christmas after having abdominal surgery. well, this lunchtime, the prince of wales is visiting housing initiatives in sheffield to promote his project to tackle homelessness. here's our royal correspondent sean coughlan.